2023 Preliminary Budget Available for Public Review
Proposed Tax Decrease
Upper Makefield’s 2023 Preliminary Budget includes a proposed tax decrease of 0.8000 mils due to the Township’s repayment of open space bond debt. By three taxpayer-approved referendums beginning in 1996, the Township borrowed $30 million for the purchase of open space and has since preserved over 37% of the land in Upper Makefield Township. Eliminating the open space bond debt allows for a tax reduction for residents. What is a mil? It is one dollar per $1,000 of a property's assessed value.
The Township’s annual budgeting process begins in August with staff reviews of contracts and future needs. The Board of Supervisors then reviews details of the budget at public workshops held in the Fall. After the workshops, the budget is revised and presented to the public as the Preliminary Budget. This year's presentation was held October 18. With approval from the Board of Supervisors, the Preliminary Budget is now available for review online and at the Township Building during office hours.
All Board of Supervisors meetings are open to the public, broadcast live on Comcast 22 and Verizon 21 and posted on the Township website the next day.
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Community Policing Activities
Pack the Patrol Car—Saturday, October 29, 9 a.m.—3 p.m.
This Halloween weekend is your chance to help UMT Police make the holidays a treat for kids and families in need during the Shop with a Cop event in December. You can come to the Police Department parking lot at 1076 Eagle Road and Pack the Patrol Car with wrapping paper, gift bags, tape, stockings, personal care and hygiene items, and canned food goods. Come in costume and receive a treat!
National Drug Takeback Day—Saturday, October 29
10 a.m.—2 p.m.
Shop with a Cop —December 10, 2022
Shop with a Cop is a national program sponsored by Target and funded through donations. In partnership with surrounding departments, Upper Makefield officers volunteer their time to shop with Council Rock elementary and middle school students who are facing a challenge or hardship. Officers are paired with children for an afternoon of shopping and holiday festivities.
If you would like to show your support with a donation, send a check or Venmo the UMT PD. Donations of any size are greatly appreciated. For a hands-on giving experience your family may enjoy, you can also bring wrapping supplies to the October 29 Pack the Patrol Car event.
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Where Do I Vote?
Election Day is Tuesday, November 8, 2022. If you are registered and don't know where to vote, find out by entering your address here: Polling Place Information.
The Bucks County Board of Elections has changed and added polling places for Upper Makefield Township voters. Due to construction at Sol Feinstone Elementary School, voting for the General Election will be at polls in two locations.
Upper Makefield Township Voting District 1 and District 3
1112 River Road, Washington Crossing Historic Park.
Upper Makefield Township Voting District 2 and District 4
900 Washington Crossing Road, Ascension Lutheran Church.
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Don't Fall Prey to Expert Scammers
Scammers fool a lot of people: American consumers lost close to $6 billion in 2021. Scams come by both phone and email, and they are designed to panic you into parting with your money. Some current scams that police advise you to watch for include:
Grandparent—Arrest—Distress Scams
- Someone poses as a grandchild or child in distress, asking you to send money.
Utility Scams
- Someone may call with a demand for immediate payment on an overdue utility bill.
IRS
- Someone identifying as a Federal employee may ask for money, threatening to freeze your accounts or have you arrested without immediate payment.
Remember
- If there's pressure, resist panicking
- Never give ANY personal information, even to "confirm"
- Do not rely on Caller ID, because phone numbers can be spoofed and emails hacked
- Never send any money via a gift card
Do This Instead
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Hang up and contact the person reported as in trouble to verify they are safe.
- Call the bank, utility company, IRS or police to assure your loved ones are safe or your accounts are current.
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Kiwanis Tree Lighting
Friday, November 25, 2022
Get the holiday season started at the Washington Crossing Historic Park Village Green on the Friday after Thanksgiving.
The event opens at 3 p.m. with hot chocolate and cookies for visitors. Santa arrives at 3:30 p.m. for a special visit and pictures, followed by the tree lighting at 4:30 p.m.
This event is sponsored by the Washington Crossing-Yardley Kiwanis Club.
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There's Still Time for Fall Tree Grant Program Reimbursement Requests
Planting trees helps with stormwater management while building a leafy canopy on your property, and the Township has a grant program to help defray the costs.
The Tree Grant program reimburses residents for tree purchase, planting and deer protection for up to 12 trees or $975 total. Grant money comes from contributions from local developers, not resident tax dollars. View the Grant Application to learn which types of Pennsylvania native trees are covered.
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Winter Home Safety Tips
House fires move fast, and holiday decorations and celebrations in a busy home can accelerate fire risks. Please review these tips as part of your holiday and winter preparations.
Good Practice
- Consider using battery operated flameless candles
- Never leave cooking unattended
- Turn off holiday lights at bedtime and when you are away from home
Avoid Outlet Overload
- Don't overload electrical outlets or ignore fuses that commonly trip
- Never leave a portable heater unattended
Holiday Lights
- Replace outdated holiday lights with new, UL rated strings
- Don't leave lights on for too long to avoid fire hazards
- Set reminders to water your Christmas trees
Routine Maintenance
- Test your smoke alarms monthly
- Have your heater serviced by a licensed technician
- Have your chimney and wood stove cleaned by a licensed technician
If you have questions or concerns about Fire Safety at home, please reach out to Fire Marshal John Kernan by calling 215-968-3340.
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Will You Volunteer in 2023?
In preparation for 2023, the Township seeks volunteers for the many boards and commissions that help our Board of Supervisors consider ways to keep Upper Makefield a vibrant community. Are you available to volunteer?
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Annual Washington Crossing Reenactment Dates Set
First Crossing—Sunday, December 11, 2022
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Annual Christmas Day Reenactment—Sunday, December 25, 2022
12-3 p.m.
Thousands of people gather each December to watch reenactors play out the events of George Washington and his troops crossing the Delaware in 1776. This year's First Crossing event includes a book signing, sale of specially baked bread and a host of Colonial-era activities. The link below includes information on becoming a reenactor yourself as well as event parking tips.
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Round-up
Each of the events below are described in this enews.
Saturday, October 29
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Pack the Patrol Car—Donations for December Shop with a Cop event. Upper Makefield Police Department parking lot, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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National Drug Takeback Day—Clear unneeded drugs from your home to avoid misuse. Dropoff is at the UMT Police Station from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Tuesday, November 8
Tuesday, November 15
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Board of Supervisors to Consider Adoption of 2023 Budget —Meeting starts at 7:30 p.m. at the Township building
Friday, November 25
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Kiwanis Tree Lighting —Hot chocolate, cookies, Santa Claus and Collection of Food/Baby Item Donations. Starts at 3 p.m. at Washington Crossing Historic Park.
Sunday, December 1
Sunday, December 25
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Reenactments of Washington's Crossing the Delaware at Washington Crossing Historic Park
Township Offices Closed
- Friday November 11 (Veterans Day)
- Thursday and Friday, November 24 and 25 (Thanksgiving)
Calendar of Township Meetings, with Links to Details
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Upper Makefield Township | uppermakefield.org | 215-968-3340
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